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Monday, March 28, 2011

I Wasn’t Surprised

that it would be me, out of all the other moms I knew, to come face to face with the world of Autism, seizures and sensory disorders.

The journey has led me down a unique path, that has forever altered my views of children, development, parenthood, the environment, our world and the definition of family.

Life has never let me live in the mainstream. Why then should I be surprised that my family may not be so typical either?

I don’t know that woman who dreamed of the perfect family. But, I know well, the woman who persevered, who dove into research, and faith, who tested the core of a marriage.

I know the woman who has seen death, who has seen life, who has seen a miracle in her boy, the woman whose heart breaks at every phone call from a mom in fear grieving a new diagnosis, who can finally say she has seen the other side, who champions early intervention and can stand for hope.

I know that woman well, and will trust her always.

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Jennie Linthorst is an expressive writing coach and the founder of LifeSPEAKS Poetry Therapy. She works privately with parents and caregivers of children with special needs helping them tell their stories and heal through reading and writing poetry and personal essays. Jennie coaches clients all across the country and around the world via phone, Skype, e-mail, in addition to in person meetings. Jennie tells her own story of mothering a special needs child in her book of poems, “A Mother’s Journey”. Her family’s story is captured in the award-winning documentary film, “Autistic-Like: Graham’s Story”.

More information is available at www.lifespeakspoetrytherapy.com and www.autisticlike.com .

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Our kids have all kinds of special needs, mild to severe. Some of us grieve the loss of our children. We do the very best we can, which often takes a toll on us. We come here to share our feelings with other parents who understand. We're searching for every parent of a child with special needs. Welcome!